Hollywood Bowl set to close up shop after 52 years in business

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»Play VideoFerdinand Schulmerich prepares to send a bowling ball down the lane Wednesday at Hollywood Bowl while KATU reporter Lincoln Graves watches. The bowling alley plans to shut down in May.

PORTLAND, Ore - A Portland institution is closing its doors after 52 years in business.

Hollywood Bowl, at 4030 N.E. Halsey, will shut down on May 18. Bowling alley managers lease the building. Although their current lease doesn't expire for eight years, they realize the likelihood of a renewal is slim.

"Anybody who knows Portland knows this location is prime real estate," said general manager David Lemke. "Nobody was ever going to renew our lease in 2022. So we were looking at making capital improvements on a building that we don't own and that we're likely not going to be at in nine years."

Business owners also operate the PinbusterZ Family Fun Center near Southeast 164th and Powell, which includes a bowling alley. They plan to remodel that location and open similar businesses elsewhere in the Portland area.